Mobile 2 Part 1
1/11/2011 08:31:00 PM Edit This 16 Comments »
I stayed home today because I was a tad under the weather (as some of you know, Tuesday is my day to work at the Health Dept). I tried to just lay low, but being a rather high energy person, I had a hard time doing that. So, among a few other little things, I made the first item for the "Undersea Mobile" for my grandson-to-be. It's a fish.
I chose a rather fancy brocade fabric to make it out of which was both good news and bad. I'll start with the bad news, so I can end on a positive note. I knew this, but conveniently forgot about it when starting this little guy. Brocade fabric shreds like crazy when it's cut. Also, I couldn't find my pinking shears, which would have really come in handy. In addition, I couldn't find any new sewing machine needles, although I'm positive I have some. I'm not an expert sewer (that's SO-ER, not sooer,) so even if I had found the needles, I wouldn't have known if they were the proper ones to use on brocade. But, I digress. Anyhow, after cutting it out, I zigzagged the edges, then assembled it. The first thing I did was put the fins in the wrong place, so I had to use a seam ripper to get them out. A seam ripper on brocade isn't the easiest tool to use - the brocade wants to shred. After a long time (with somewhat impaired vision, I might add), I got them both out and put them back in again - this time in the right place. I then sewed together the two sides of the fish, only to discover that the opening I left to turn it right side out was actually the place where the tail was supposed to go, and I had sewed closed the opening which was supposed to be used for the turning. Of course, the hole I left wasn't wide enough for the tail, so more seam ripping was needed to insert the tail. Then, the whole thing was sewn closed, so once again, I had to rip apart a bit of the seam to turn it right side out!
Now for the good news! I turned that baby right side out, first sewed on the eyes and then glued them just to be sure they wouldn't come off, stuffed it, and sewed it closed. I liked it!! Then my sweetie came home. I showed it to him. After admiring it for a second or two, he said, "It's eyes look a little creepy to me!". I don't care one wee bit - I think it's cute!
I chose a rather fancy brocade fabric to make it out of which was both good news and bad. I'll start with the bad news, so I can end on a positive note. I knew this, but conveniently forgot about it when starting this little guy. Brocade fabric shreds like crazy when it's cut. Also, I couldn't find my pinking shears, which would have really come in handy. In addition, I couldn't find any new sewing machine needles, although I'm positive I have some. I'm not an expert sewer (that's SO-ER, not sooer,) so even if I had found the needles, I wouldn't have known if they were the proper ones to use on brocade. But, I digress. Anyhow, after cutting it out, I zigzagged the edges, then assembled it. The first thing I did was put the fins in the wrong place, so I had to use a seam ripper to get them out. A seam ripper on brocade isn't the easiest tool to use - the brocade wants to shred. After a long time (with somewhat impaired vision, I might add), I got them both out and put them back in again - this time in the right place. I then sewed together the two sides of the fish, only to discover that the opening I left to turn it right side out was actually the place where the tail was supposed to go, and I had sewed closed the opening which was supposed to be used for the turning. Of course, the hole I left wasn't wide enough for the tail, so more seam ripping was needed to insert the tail. Then, the whole thing was sewn closed, so once again, I had to rip apart a bit of the seam to turn it right side out!
Now for the good news! I turned that baby right side out, first sewed on the eyes and then glued them just to be sure they wouldn't come off, stuffed it, and sewed it closed. I liked it!! Then my sweetie came home. I showed it to him. After admiring it for a second or two, he said, "It's eyes look a little creepy to me!". I don't care one wee bit - I think it's cute!
16 comments:
Fantastic! Can't wait to see what else you make.
It sounds like the brocade was a real pain to work with but I LOVE the end result. I'm glad you stuck it out and finished it. I'm sure the little baby will be fascinated by the glitter.
Congratulations on sticking with it... Your fish looks great. You'll have to post a picture when you get the hole thing together.
Nancy,
I think he is a beauty - that fabric is perfect for a fish.
I'm still in quite a bit of pain from this tendonitis and taking some very powerful pain meds, so didn't drive to Stockbridge to tutor today. I'm supposed to be going over tomorrow instead.
Hope you are feeling better,
xoxo
I hope you are feeling better Nancy,and get some rest : ) The fish looks fantastic, and you sure put in a ton of work on it, I can see why you are happy with the end result. It will look great in the mobile.
Feels better soon!!
I think it is beautiful!!
It's fab - well done for persevering!
It IS cute! And tell hubby that fish eyes are supposed to look creepy! LOL!
Why is this story so funny to me. Probably because I can really relate. He is cute.
It turned out well in the end! You remind me of myself when I have to sew.
I like him, he's cute not creepy!!! Kudos for sticking with it!
I think staying with the brocade was worth the extra effort...this is FANTASTIC! I love the shimmery patterns of the fabric, like fish sometimes do underwater. Nothing but praises from me on this one!! Two thumbs way up!
Oh my gosh I am totally laughing about your husband's comment on the creep factor of it's eyes. Something my husband might say as well. I think this turned out great, and to tell you the truth a fish isn't a fish unless it has those creepy eyes, have you ever caught a fish and really looked at it? They aren't adorable creatures, those eyes are creepy! Your fish is way more adorable than anything in the water though, I hope you're totally proud of him!
This is beautiful - well worth the effort!
Your fishy looks fantastic! This will be a wonderful and cherished gift, I am sure. Hope you're feeling better :-)
Lovely Lovely fish! I am new to your blog, and want to thank you for stopping by my new blog recently.
I understand the struggle, but you are right the end is a wonderful creative piece for the baby!
Post a Comment